The week's top Personal Finance stories

In case you missed them, here are the top 10 Personal Finance stories from MarketWatch for the week of Dec. 1-5:

High inventory is killing home builders, and industry asks for help

Helping Main Street as well as Wall Street has been an objective of President-elect Barack Obama throughout both the campaign and into the transition period. Some argue that home-buying incentives built into a new economic stimulus package -- if done right -- could help not only the housing industry and the overall economy, but also would-be home buyers who are facing a crisis in confidence as well as credit. See Special Report: Obama's Challenge.

Buyers flock to condo auction, ready to snap up bargains

Voices shout dollar amounts across the packed hotel ballroom until the bids stop flowing, the hammer falls and the auctioneer cries "sold!" Backed by applause and the sounds of a live rock band playing "Money (That's What I Want)," the winner marches through the crowd to claim his prize -- a $416,000, three-bedroom condominium he just bought for $260,000. At the back of the room, a bartender stands poised to serve customers drinks during a brief intermission. Not your typical home-buying scene. See full story.

With steep markdowns on big-name stocks, is it time to take some action?

More than 100 of the S&P 500 stocks are selling for under $10. Should you buy? This isn't really my usual time of year for doing investing columns. I mean, our shopping is usually directed at other things besides stocks. But heck, when you take a closer look at the wintry Wall Street sky, it's really hard to ignore the falling stars. Like those big blue-chip names most of us would have gladly owned at higher prices just a few months ago. See Jennifer Openshaw's 15-Minute Tip.

Prize-winning retirees help ex-cons, rural farmers, the environment

Some people give to charitable organizations. Others start their own. Consider Mark Goldsmith. The 72-year-old former cosmetics-industry executive retired from his high-powered career to start a nonprofit that teaches life skills and workplace savvy to young men in New York's Rikers Island jail. See Retirement Living.

Food banks, shelters benefit as charity stays close to home

It's a sad story and a sign of the times: A growing number of people who had been regular donors to the Greater Chicago Food Depository are now asking the charity for help in feeding their families. See Charitable Giving.

Tips for continuing to support charities in tough economic times

When economic times get tough, finding dollars to donate can get tougher, but there are ways to make your charitable dollar stretch farther. See full story.

If your fund is closing, get out before the door hits you

Just in time for the holiday season, my wife received a notice that the fund she uses for her Roth IRA will shut its doors on Dec. 8. See Chuck Jaffe.

Players shift, but Twin Cities still best for business

Minneapolis-St. Paul, far and away, remains where it's at for business. For the second year in a row, the Twin Cities region stayed at the top of MarketWatch's list of best metro areas for business, based on results from a variety of sources. While a number of other players shifted around in the standings, and a couple fell out of the top 10, Minneapolis-St. Paul lost a little bit in the scoring. But the area still outdistanced its closest competitor, Boston, by more than 20 points. See Best Cities.

Facing the year-end fund tax challenge

Many mutual fund investors are about to find out how it feels to have insult piled on top of injury. Fund shareholders are facing the double whammy of negative returns plus, at some funds, a tax bill caused by fund managers unloading assets to cover redemptions. See Mutual Understanding.

Six financial gifts that let you do more with less this season

You can barely open a Web browser or turn on the television without hearing someone discuss how to do more with less this holiday season. So that makes this the perfect season to consider giving a "financial gift." Here are six financial gifts worth giving this year: See Chuck Jaffe.

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